This dictionary gives the meaning of over 300,000 acronyms, initialism and
abbreviations from all fields. The companion reverse volumes are arranged
by meaning and give the appropriate acronym or initialism.

Explains abbreviations, acronyms, appellations, contractions and
geographical equivalents. Entries are arranged alphabetically.
Has separate lists for such categories as airports of the world and
numbered abbreviations.

Dictionaries

Unabridged dictionaries can be found on the atlas case as well as in the
reference room stacks in PE 1625. A selection of abridged
dictionaries is kept behind the reference desk. We also have specialized
dictionaries, such as a reprint of James Buchanan's Dictionary from 1757
(PE 1620 .B8 1757a).

"A revised and expanded version of the Appendix of Indo-European Roots
in The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language,
published in 1969." Under each entry it gives a definition, words based
on the root and an etymology of the root.

Besides serving as a regular dictionary, the Oxford English Dictionary
has an extensive morphology for each word, including the actual origin
of the word, its subsequent history and miscellaneous facts about the
history of the word.

Alphabetical arrangement of Indo-European roots. Under each entry
discusses words and phrases that came from the root. Has an index of
English words indicating the root(s) under which each word appears.

Foreign Language Dictionaries

We have an extensive collection of foreign language dictionaries, covering
languages ranging from Albanian (PG 9591 .D7 1957) to Samoan
(PL6501 .Z5 M5). The Cassell's series covers the more
commonly used languages such as Italian (PC 1640 .C33 1959).
French (PC 2640 .C3 1962), and Spanish
(PS 4640 .C35 1960).

"Has been compiled to aid those who wish to know the meaning of
foreign expressions in what they hear or read." Defines foreign
phrases and abbreviations that are often used in English works.
Includes quotes from many different languages, with Latin and French
predominating.

Pronunciation

Most dictionaries give the correct pronunciation of a word but there are
also special dictionaries for pronunciation.

Lass, Abraham and Lass, Betty. Dictionary of Pronunciation.
New York: Quadrangle/The New York Times Book Co., 1976.
Ref. PE 1137 .L38.

Contains 8,000 words that "pose various kinds pronunciation problems
for all sorts of people." Gives the possible pronunciations
recorded in four major dictionaries and tells how many of the
dictionaries agree with each pronunciation. Indicates preferred
pronunciations. Pronunciation key appears on each page.

Includes all the words one would expect to find in a standard English
dictionary -- except those with no rhymes. Words which rhyme are
grouped together. An alphabetic index directs the users to the proper
group. Short definitions are given for the more obscure words.

Gives definitions, origins, history of and comments on words, mainly
slang words, euphemism and unusual words and phrases.

New Dictionary of American Slang. Edited by Robert Chapman.
New York: Harper & Row,1986. Ref.PE 2846 .C46 1986.

Up-to-date. Entries include defintions and quotations. Often gives
the social group and time period in which the word or phrase originated.
Aim was to make a dictionary of current American slang but some older
terms are included. Based on Wentworth's Dictionary of American
Slang(PE 2846 .W4 1975).

Defines more than 3,000 expressions and gives their origins.
Expressions are grouped by topic, such as "mischief" or " physical
appearance," "making the book similar in function to a thesaurus."
Includes an index to the phrases.

"Designed to help writers solve the recurring problems created by
sexist language." Gives alternatives for sexist words and phrases
(i.e., "act like a man"). Also contains nonsexist words that could
be mistaken for sexist words ("manipulate." from the Latin for hand).
Appendix includes articles on nonsexist writing. Also has a
bibliography.

"Has a text of about 250,000 words and phrases, arranged in
categories by their meanings, and a comprehensive index." Terms
within a category are organized by part of speech. Includes a
synopsis of categories.

Mostly concerned with British usage. Covers word usage, formation of
words and their spelling, pronunciation, punctuation and typography.
Also contains extended entries on some topics such as the use of the
word "like" and headline language.

Purpose is "to show the standards of linguistic usage adhered to by
those who use the language well." Gives correct usage of terms,
British and American meanings of words, explains slang terms, gives
pronunciation of terms and explains what terms related to language
mean (i.e., adverb).

Includes more than 3,500 words whose origin comes from the name of a
real person, group of people or animal endowed with human
characteristics. Entires, some rather lengthy, tell about the person
and how his name became part of the language.